“Comfortable Rustic” best describes the spacious three-star accommodation at Buchu Bushcamp. Three stars was all we were willing to aim for in this unique “back-to-nature” bushcamp; more stars and it could hardly be called a “rustic bushcamp”, though of course there are plenty of stars to gaze at in our clear night skies!
Location
Buchu Bushcamp is situated about 70km east of Cape Agulhas, the southern-most tip of Africa and a mere 1km from the main gate of the De Hoop Nature Reserve.
Situated 35km off the N2 highway between Cape Town and the Garden Route, Buchu Bushcamp is comfortably under three hours drive from both Cape Town and George.
Bredasdorp is the closest town.
Just 175km due east of Cape Town, Buchu Bushcamp lies just out of the winter rainfall region. It’s the warm Indian Ocean that does it! As one travels east from Cape Agulhas rainfall tends to be spread throughout the year, with the result that winter days are, more often than not, clear and crispy, while the summer heat is tempered by the odd shower or two. It really is a perfect year-round destination.
Accommodation
All the chalets offer our guests a generous 40m2 en-suite bedroom and living area with an outside deck. Each chalets is carefully positioned to maximise privacy and all are accessed by separate boardwalks.
The chalets are equipped with bar fridges stocked according to your preference, a kettle and ample tea and coffee.
Two of the chalets are “very comfortable”, non-smoking bedrooms with en-suite showers. Both are equipped with twin beds with the option of a king-size double bed. There is also a sleeper couch in the living area.
The remaining three chalets offer “nearly-as-comfortable” en-suite accommodation with twin beds or one standard double bed. These chalets also have two single beds on a mezzanine level and a sleeper couch in the living area; comfortable for four but rather a squeeze for six! Ideal for a family or a group of close friends willing to share the en-suite shower.
The 'lapa'
This charming thatched structure, raised well above the ground, is the focal point of bushcamp life. Comprising living and dining areas, an indoor/outdoor licensed pub and private reading room the lapa caters for a comprehensive array of our guests’ needs. The tiered deck running the length of the northern side of the lapa is an ideal spot to soak up the sun and fresh air while the bushcamp staff spoil you with traditional South African hospitality.
Enviromental Conservation
The entire bushcamp facility was designed and built by an environmental conservationist who took great care not to damage the unique vegetation surrounding the camp; each endemic plant was mapped and carefully removed prior to the construction phase and then, on completion of the project, each plant was returned to a position as close as possible to it’s original location. To avoid any damage to the environment all access within the bushcamp is now along raised boardwalks, naturally! A number of demarcated walking trails spiral out in various directions from the edge of bushcamp.
Buchu, a member of the Rutaceae family and after which the bushcamp is named, is represented by a number of species endemic to the area. Having scented oil glands on their leaves, the Buchu gives off a fresh aromatic fragrance when the leaves are crushed – walking trails within the surrounding nature reserve offer not only beautiful scenery but, thanks to the Buchu, are a nasal delight.
Half - way house
Situated midway between Cape Town and the Garden route, Buchu Bushcamp is an excellent stopover on your way to the Garden Route. Less than three hours from both Cape Town and George, one is able to amble along savouring the numerous delights of the Overberg.
If you’ve got more time than the average weekend warrior desperately escaping from the clutches of the urban jungle, then ask us about our recommended routes; why rush when you can have a respectable departure from Cape Town, followed by a slow lunch in a quaint country village or on a wine estate and a then a leisurely afternoon drive to the Buchu Bushcamp. In summer there’s ample time to mosey on down for a dip in one of the tidal pools at Koppie Alleen, bump into a mountain zebra or two on the way or watch a troop of baboons just fooling around.
Facilities
• Whale - watching
• Birding
• Game viewing
• Mountain Biking
• Diving
• Snorkelling
• River Rafting
• Fishing
• Boating
• Horse riding
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